What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is like many other types of alternative medical treatment. It is called by critics in the past as “illustrated quacksery” and “quackery.” However, recent scientific research has demonstrated that acupuncture is very efficient when it is used to treat different health issues.
Acupuncture is an integral part of the traditional chinese medicine (tcm) which is a type of treatment that focuses on improving the body through using needles inserted at specific points. Acupuncture is often employed as a means of pain relief for chronic illnesses like arthritis, as well as to treat acute injuries. Acupuncture has been called by some critics “illustrated quackery,” but recent research in science has proven that acupuncture can be extremely efficient in treating various health problems. It is also utilized to help people quit smoking, a habit that harms not only the smoker but the whole population as well.
Acupuncture works on the principal the existence of 7 meridians, or energy pathways that the body channels life the energy (qi). If there is an imbalance with the circulation of Qi through these pathways and illness or pain it can cause illness or injury. The premise behind the theory of meridians and Qi is that they exist separate from one another, but are linked when the flow of qi gets blocked. According to traditional Chinese medicine, imbalances between the Qi at various parts of the body can cause symptoms listed below:
Although it’s unclear the exact mechanism of acupuncture, traditional chinese medicine asserts that acupuncture needles find their way to the location of concern through a person’s nervous system. The needles then stimulate nerves, which “yield” an electric current that is then detected by the doctor. This electric current is then utilized to “cure” the patient. Acupuncturists who practice traditional Chinese methods of healing assert that the acupuncturist does not need to see the patient during the electrical stimulation. Instead the patient is placed on a table, or the practitioner could reach over and place his needle into the correct position himself.
But what is not seen by an untrained eye is the discomfort the acupuncturist experiences when inserting the needles. This discomfort is what is known as “shaking hands syndrome” and is part of the reason that a lot of practitioners do not want to give acupuncture treatments to patients. In addition certain acupuncturists are certified to provide treatment with tingling or cold to patients who have not actually needed acupuncture treatment prior to. If a patient is uncomfortable, the practitioner is urged to stop giving the tingling treatment and to try again later. It is important to seek relief from any pain or discomfort prior to commencing acupuncture.
Acupuncture has been accepted as part of the healthcare practice in the United States since the mid-nineteenth century. In the years prior to World War II, acupuncture was considered to be a taboo subject, with the exception of practitioners trained in Russia. In the present it is the United States has become one of the main centers of acupuncture and the traditional Chinese medicine. This modality of medicine is becoming more popular all over the globe, with patients from every walk of life asking physicians about this treatment. For those who are curious about acupuncture and the benefits it could bring to them, perhaps seeing an expert acupuncturist is the best option. Numerous hospitals offer this kind of service to patients interested in receiving treatment from this type of treatment.
